Hillsdale Police Warn Of Possibly Rabid Raccoon In Area

HILLSDALE, NJ - Police are urging residents in a Hillsdale neighborhood to be on the lookout for a possibly rabid raccoon.

The department began receiving reports of a "possible sick raccoon" that "appeared aggressive" in the area of Nancy and Morris drives on Monday, according to a social media post from police.

Since then, police and Tyco Animal Control have attempted to find the animal but have been unable to locate it, the department said in an update Wednesday morning.

"According to Animal Control, once the animal is in that phase of the illness it only has a 48-72 hours to live, and once it is truly aggressive even less. Most likely this animal is already deceased in the woods, however we continue to encourage that you be cautious and report any suspicious raccoon sightings to the Hillsdale Police Department immediately," the department said.

Anyone who spots the animal should not approach it and should contact the department at 201-664-4200.

Raccoons are a common carrier of rabies, a virus typically transmitted when an infected animal bites, and saliva from the infected animal comes into contact with any open cuts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Signs of rabid animal include: aggressive behavior, appear to be drunk or injured, and/or have trouble walking, disorientation, loss of appetite, excessive irritability, unusual vocalization, abnormal behavior, restlessness, jumping at noises, excessive salivation, tremors, convulsions, or paralysis.

Residents who see an animal acting strangely should avoid the animal and immediately call their local police department or health department.